Inexpensive Ways to Give Your Porch or Deck a Fall Makeover

Like a cool breath of air, fall has come to sweep away the summer doldrums and reinvigorate our outdoor lives. It’s all cozy rocking chairs and hot mugs of cider from here on out. With the arrival of milder weather, your porch or deck are probably going to be seeing a lot more use. So if your exterior decor has been languishing in the summer heat, it’s definitely time for a quick update.

But if you’re already paying for new clothes, athletic equipment and supplies for the school bake sale, porchside decor may be the last thing on your list. Thankfully, there’s a way to gussy up your deck without taking out a loan. Get ready to fall for these inexpensive, autumnal beauties.

Burlap Sunflower Centerpiece
Burlap: an oh-so-cheap material with oodles of built-in fall flavor! This autumn centerpiece gets a chic update with whitewashed mason jars and just a hint of lace. Pile them full of artificial florals in colors invocative of the season — or use them to display some of the bounty from your own flower garden.

Monogrammed Twig Letters
What’s cheaper than twigs? For this cutesy craft, all you need to buy is a craft store letter and a few glue sticks. This piece looks great propped against the side of the house for an instant burst of fall that’s as classy as it is affordable. Use JoAnn’s coupons to save even more on your crafting.

DIY Braided Doormat
Your shoes are bound to get a little dusty after playing in the leaves. This homemade mat is made with braided rope, which is about one of the cheapest supplies you could think of. And the results are super professional looking — in fact, this rug may definitely cause some serious decor envy from your neighbors.

Industrial Pumpkin
Pottery Barn-style design without the cost! This distressed metal pumpkin is made entirely from construction supplies scavenged from Home Depot held together with a bolt. But only you’ll know that it didn’t come from a downtown boutique.

Pumpkin Planter
This cheerful floral vessel — affectionately referred to as a ‘mumkin’ — takes two fall classics and combines them for a powerhouse of autumn decor. It could really only be more seasonal if it was somehow stuffed with candy corn.

Hand-Lettered Pillow on Patio
A patio is the perfect place for a little fireside chat — and it’s a whole lot comfier with this burlap pillow imprinted with a welcoming fall message. Great for enjoying the last warm days before winter arrives — and it’s time to update your decor yet again.

Erin Vaughan is a blogger, gardener and aspiring homeowner. She currently resides in Austin, TX where she writes full time for Modernize.com, with the goal of empowering homeowners with the expert guidance and educational tools they need to take on big home projects with confidence.